NPP Safety: Protect Your Maintenance Crew

Sometimes the simplest way to solve a problem is to eliminate it altogether. In this article, we discuss safety concerns for nuclear power plant (NPP) workers and how your plant can reduce or eliminate them.

If your power plant relies on raw water intakes, consider these five tips:

#1: Eliminate Water Screen Maintenance Diving

Hydrolox traveling water screens have no submerged serviceable parts. No maintenance divers are needed because all repairs happen above the waterline. Even a damaged screen can simply be rotated out of the water for a quick repair. When it comes to worker safety, eliminating the dangers of diving for screen repairs is at the top of the list.

#2: Reduce Crane Requirements

When traditional water screens break down, need repairs or service overhauls, sometimes cranes are required to remove the screen from the well. This incurs costs such as the crane and operator to remove the frame, equipment replacement, lost time, and reduced availability. It also adds inherent dangers to the work.

Hydrolox screens and frames are more robust than other options, even in extreme conditions. They drastically simplify maintenance and rarely break down or fail. They are designed to remain in their wells for their entire lifespan.

Cut Maintenance by 89%

Find out how a power plant cut water screen maintenance by 89%, saving over $200,000 USD in associated costs each year.

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#3: Make Maintenance Quicker and Easier

Our screens’ unique design helps NPPs save time and money in many ways. Regular intake maintenance work like tensioning, spray bar cleaning, and mesh repair are drastically simplified. These activities require less time and fewer equipment lockout/tagouts. You might be surprised how quick and easy maintenance procedures are with Hydrolox screens.

50% Less Cleaning

Hydrolox screens provide superior filtration that benefits downstream equipment. Find out how a power plant cut condenser cleaning requirements in half.

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#4: Eliminate Side Chains

All traveling water screens—except those made by Hydrolox—rely on heavy roller chains to move the screens. These chains have dangerous pinch points at every link, creating an easy opportunity for injury. Hydrolox water screens’ design eliminates side chains and their inherent dangers.

#5: Reduce Confined Space Requirements

Because all screen maintenance happens above the waterline, your team will experience fewer confined space requirements for screen repairs. That translates to fewer safety concerns like fall risks, toxic gasses, loud noise, and more. Your team will continue to have confined space work, but it won’t be for your water intake screens.

At a Glance: Maintenance Benefits

Eliminate:

• Frequent screen tensioning
• Tedious spray bar cleaning
• Screen maintenance diving
• Roller chains (and their pinch points)
• Cranes for screen frame maintenance

Significantly Reduce:

• Work clearance needs
• Lockout/tagout requirements
• Confined space work
• Condenser cleaning
• Screen maintenance (by 89+%)